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Interact for Health Announces First Round of Rural Changemaker Grant Recipients

Interact for Health Announces First Round of Rural Changemaker Grant Recipients

The organization is awarding over $250K across 3 states in the first of three rounds of funding.

CINCINNATI, OH, APRIL 30 – Interact for Health has announced three organizations in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana that will receive funding through the Rural Changemaker Grant, the signature grant opportunity of Interact for Health’s Rural Investment Strategy.

Fourteen of the 20 counties of Interact for Health’s service area are considered rural. “We’re thrilled to deepen our investment with our rural partners and take their lead on what are the most pressing priorities.” said Kate Schroder, President and CEO of Interact for Health.

The three organizations selected for this round of funding serve a distinct need in their rural community:

• The Gathering Wing – Building Sober-Living/Recovery Homes in Pendleton County, KY ($57,000). The Gathering Wing is updating and renovating two homes in Falmouth, KY to provide sober living and recovery services.  

The Gathering Wing describes their work to open sober living and recovery programs as part of their “ongoing mission of providing food, resources, acceptance and hope to the people of the Pendleton County community,” said Kelly Mosely, Executive Director of The Gathering Wing.

• Milan Community Schools – CARES Central Enrichment Program in Ripley County, IN ($100,000). The Change. Action. Resources. Empowerment. Support (CARES) Central Program

“This financial support will allow CARES Central to continue positively impacting youth by developing the whole child and helping them feel they matter and we care.” said Brenda Schwering, Student Support Development Coordinator, Milan Community Schools. 

• Women Helping Women – Rural Operations in Adams, Brown, and Clermont counties, OH ($100,000). Women Helping Women provides intervention, prevention and community building for survivors of gender-based violence.

"Survivors deserve more support in all regions and Women Helping Women is committed to growing its response and prevention of gender-based violence in rural communities. Partnerships like these are always the means to strong public health solutions,” said Kristin Shrimplin, President & CEO Women Helping Women. With this funding, WHW will expand their prevention services  to youth and continue to build relationships with schools in rural counties.

There are two additional rolling funding deadlines for eligible rural organizations to apply for the Rural Changemaker Grant: Monday, June 3 and Monday, October 7 at 5 p.m. Learn more about our rural grantmaking and event sponsorship opportunities at https://www.interactforhealth.org/rural-investment-strategy-2024/.

About Interact for Health  

Interact for Health works to ensure that people in our region have a just opportunity to live their healthiest lives, regardless of who they are or where they live. We advance health justice through grantmaking, collaboration, learning, convening and engagement. Interact for Health is an independent foundation that works in 20 counties in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. More information is available at www.interactforhealth.org. 

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